Watersheds are not equal: Exploring the feasibility of watershed management

We propose that some watersheds may be better candidates for watershed mana gement than others. The extent of success of watershed management may depen d, in part, on attributes intrinsic to watersheds: scientific feasibility, social feasibility, and motivational feasibility. Using illustrations from New Jersey watershed management efforts, we tie scientific feasibility to t he nature of environmental problems and the scientific capability to solve them. Social feasibility encompasses civic infrastructure and engagement. M otivational feasibility includes issue salience linked to values or economi c considerations. We suggest that assessments should be made about the viab ility of watershed management in specific watersheds and that priorities sh ould be developed based on these assessments. Research on watershed managem ent should explore not only how to improve watershed management but also wh ere to conduct it.